HS FOOT: A closer look at Notre Dame-Crespi showdown

There figures to be star power everywhere Friday when state powers Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks and visiting Crespi of Crespi face off in a much-anticipated Serra League opener.

Crespi (4-3) boasts Oregon-bound quarterback Bryan Bennett and game-breaking receivers Blake Stanton, Brandon Graves and Devin Lucien, while Notre Dame (6-1) features All-American quarterback Ryan Kasdorf and heavily recruited linemen Ben Gottschalk and Daniel Munyer.

But the key player of all could be Alex Guzzi, a 6-foot, 250-pound Crespi offensive lineman who has been thrust into the starting lineup in place of injured three-year starter Hroniss Grasu. It will be Guzzi's responsibility to help protect Bennett and to pave the way for running backs Brad Lattanzio and Rhasheed Johnson.

On defense, Grasu had five sacks through six games, and he is being replaced by Ben Loth and Michael Mitchell, who previously alternated on defense but now will play together full time.

Loth and Mitchell are being recruited as offensive linemen. Both have been offered scholarships by Nevada, and Loth also has offers from Iowa State, Fresno State and UNLV.

"I just took a recruiting trip to Iowa State, and it was nice," Loth said. "I really like it there."

Grasu tore his MCL on his knee during practice last week. His absence was not a factor Friday in a 63-14 victory over St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs that was all but over after the first quarter, but Notre Dame is expected to put up a lot more resistance.

Grasu, who has committed to Oregon, said Tuesday that doctors told him surgery would not be required, so he is hoping to make it back in time for the playoffs.

-- Gerry Gittelson